Long-sliding distance experiment and heuristic model prediction of the electrical sliding abrasion of an overhead wire/current collector

Abstract

Several long-sliding distance tests on the electrical sliding abrasion of an overhead wire/current collector were performed on a test rig. The test parameters cover electric currents of DC 0, 100, 200, 300, 400 A, normal force of 15, 25, 35, 45 N, sliding speeds of 60, 80, 100 km/h, and sliding distance of 6000 km. Test results illuminate that the electric current significantly impacts the electric sliding abrasion performance of the Cu-Ag alloy overhead wire and current collector. Its main wear mechanisms involve adhesive, plowing, electrical, and arc wears. Bucca and Collina’s wear prediction models of overhead wires and current collectors were established using the obtained wear test data. More parameter sensitivity analyses were carried out using the wear prediction models.